International officials in Kosovo called on the local institutions to step up fight against corruption and empower the rule of law. In an event organised to mark the Anti-Corruption Week, head of the EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, said fight of corruption is a step that needs to be undertaken as part of Kosovo’s European integration. “For the EU, the fight against corruption is one of the priorities and key messages I wish to pass on today. European Union, through the country report and the one on visa liberalisation, has recommended Kosovo undertake significant steps in the fight of corruption as part of its journey towards the EU. Public officials indicted on corruption acts need to be suspended while those convicted of these acts need to be immediately dismissed. Corruption needs to be completely uprooted from public institutions,” Apostolova said.

At the same time, the U.S. Ambassador, Greg Delawie, said defeating corruption is one of the longer term challenges for Kosovo which requires immediate action. Delawie further spoke of the need for Kosovo to update the law on disciplinary prosecution which would increase accountability of the justice system and to undertake public procurement reform.

The British Ambassador, Ruairi O’Connell, said it is time for people in Kosovo to get employment through merits not through party or personal lines while the German Ambassador, Christian Heldt, spoke of the role the media can have in fighting corruption through raising the awareness of the society.